Chapter 2

　　Third POV

　　THREE WEEKS LATER

　　It was her first day in NYU Sports Academy, the best day, also the worst day of her life. She was set to meet with the man who bought her heart and left without saying a goodbye. Alpha Rhys, the young Alpha of her pack, Helves Pack in London who was set to take over from his dad. Now a Hockey captain here.

　　Elisa Jordan arrived in New York from London two days before, living a street away from NYU. Today the day she was waiting for had arrived, she would get to feel if the man who had interviewed her, acting all cold like he never knew her was Rhys Alexio.

　　The sports studio was silent. The captain being an NHL player and was experienced served as the lecturer for freshers. For their theoretical classes preceding practice on ice. He was preparing for his first class for the freshmen students who were resuming today.

　　His fingers moved skillfully over the symbolic ice pitch on the massive table, slightly placed to aid perfect view. The morning class was yet to begin. He was alone, demonstrating his lecture in rehearsals to keep his mind from wandering away.

　　Then, the door creaked open and students began walking in, talking their places on empty seats, waiting to have their introduction class. They totaled over thirty in number. It was his second year, slightly lesser than last.

　　He stood up to close the door when he felt everyone had arrived, returning to take his seat on the podium.

　　Then the door slowly cracked open, a young girl in crazy western fashion. Ripped jeans which exposed her legs and tights while hugging her curves. Her black top stopped just above her waist. Her long, loose hair bounced as she walked.

　　What the captain hated most.

　　Two things.

　　Indecency and lateness. Prohibited for sports men. The dress code had to be smart and athletic.

　　She didn't look like she cared about the rules, and she didn't care who was watching. It totally skipped her mind to check out who would be her captain, until his deep voice rang across the room, then she jerked up.

　　"I just guess you wouldn't really want to start up with me on the wrong foot. Look at how you're dressing." She paused abruptly. "Do you think this is a fashion Academy?" Somehow the voice looked familiar, she widened her eyes, raising her head slowly to check out who was talking to her.

　　She held her breath.

　　"Oh goddess!" She whispered covering her lips. "Rhys? Rhys!! It's you again?" Her wolf grew more excited this time than last time. The excitement pulled her into advancing towards the captain who shifted backwards in shock.

　　"Where are you from?" The captain questioned, putting up with a deep frown, he ignored her reaction of shock.

　　"Don't you know me?"

　　"Can't you remember me, Rhys?"

　　"Hello miss, are you high or drunk?" He sprang up. "Do I look like your one-night stand hockey captain or are you trying to hit on me?"

　　His eyes got redder. "Where are you from? What's your identity? Why are you dressed like this?"

　　Elisa shivered from his raised voice, her lips were still wide apart. She was beyond shocked at how Rhys was treating her. Colder than she ever expected. It rained into her mind how he left without saying a goodbye, how his family ignored her after he left and how she decided to move on.

　　She stepped backward, feeling the sudden pangs of betrayal.

　　A few students chuckled. Rhys didn't. He held on to his serious face.

　　"Respect is a huge part of this sport," he added. "Indecency has no place, so does lateness. If you don't want to see me as a cold captain, take note of these three things." He warned.

　　"You'll be marked absent today," he uttered, returning to his seat.

　　Elisa stood there, dumbfounded, feeling cold hatred. She then shrugged and took out her notebook. "Do what you have to." She muttered.

　　He turned back to the ice pitch, but he could feel her eyes on him. Watching. Judging. Taunting. His mind went back to the interview, her reaction was the same as today. He sighed, smirking.

　　All through the class, Elisa spent in thoughts wondering why Rhys would still treat her this way. At some point, she rubbed her eyes, confused if this was a dream or she was seeing him for real.

　　Later that day, Rhys sat in his office, trying to focus on writing new sports notes he would use to teach his students the next day. But Elisa's image still lingered in his mind, he found himself getting distracted and he couldn't control it. His wolf was restless to talk with her, but then he couldn't. One thing he wanted to avoid the most was an informal relationship between a student and him. As a coach, captain and lecturer, it was forbidden.

　　He ignored the thoughts and continued with his notes.

　　He wasn't just a captain. He was something else, a secret he wanted to keep from his students as long as possible. Prior to this, he needed no side distractions.

　　The next few classes didn't help. Elisa kept showing up, always late, always dressed like she wanted to seduce him. Besides her clothes, she never paid attention to what he taught but him in person, her obsession which had wanted to let go had grown back again, now deeper than before.

　　Even with the lack of focus, she was a star on the ice. On her debut class. She played smoothly. Carrying the puck like she was born with it. Sleek, fast and without penalties.

　　He wanted to ignore her but couldn't ignore her talents, one he rarely saw.

　　Elisa bubbled with excitement seeing how this was pulling Rhys towards her, soon a man who was always acting cold towards her was looking at her most and worst of all, he made her the class representative.

　　"You must have played hockey before now to be this good?" He asked.

　　Elisa saw this as a chance to test if he was truly Rhys, particularly as he didn't introduce his name to them.

　　"My mate used to play it, I used to join him, that's how I got to develop the talent."

　　But he nodded, thoughtfully, saying nothing.

　　After a few seconds replied. "Where's that your mate?"

　　Elisa's lips sealed. She felt a sharp pain in her heart and tears were beginning to form in her eyes. Mumbling and unable to speak fast, he patted her on the back with a nod and moved over to other students, checking their tactics.

　　Amidst the coldness, there was something with their wolves pulling them towards each other, a deep strong bond which her acclaimed Rhys was trying to deny. Elisa believed they were meant to be even when he didn't want her any longer.

　　One afternoon, Elisa was walking toward her next class which was already late when she turned a corner too fast and ended up bumping into a rock hard chest, stumbling, then feeling firm hands sliding over her waist.

　　"Goshhhh!" She muttered in shock before raising her eyes to see who it was.

　　Rhys.

　　Her breath ceased. He was staring deep into her eyes with want, focus and desire. Her lips dropped wider. His hand never left her waist. Then he cleared his throat and lifted her up.

　　"Be more careful next time," he said and walked past.

　　Elisa remained fixed to the spot, blinking her eyes in shock, struggling to breath. His scent, that of hyacinth and olives stuck to her nose, refusing to leave. It smelled quite different from her Rhys. Where doubt set in. Or did he scent switch. Such practices are done under the blood moon. It's rare but not impossible. Her wolf was rocking inside her, inciting her hormones.

　　"What's going on?"

　　It took her almost ten minutes to regain her consciousness, from where she took to her heels, running off to class. She was quite lucky that it was a class handled by another captain. Not Rhys. She wouldn't be able to look him in the face or even play her instruments well.

　　That night, Elisa tossed in bed, unable to sleep. Her chest felt tight still thinking of what happened in the day, she imagined what Rhys must be thinking about her, how he's feeling. Her wolf disturbed inside her, restless, confused, hungry for someone. All she could think about was him, his hands, his scent, the way his voice made her body react. Everything replayed like it was just happening.

　　The next morning, Elisa received an email. She peered through her screen.

　　Captain Rhys. As she saved him.

　　"Hello, good morning Elisa. As the class representative, help me spread this information to your colleagues. I'm unable to make it to today's class for personal reasons."

　　Elisa held her breath, feeling many thoughts rushing in.

　　"You all will be recreating the last topic we had, the studio's door will be opened for practice. My studio assistant with you will be available to make sure everything goes in order."

　　"Thanks."

　　"Why?" She thought. "Why is he not coming to class?" And she had already prepared to stare at him all through. She was prepared to have her lofty thoughts.

　　It rang in her head that it was none other than the event of yesterday. He was pulling away. Elisa didn't know what to feel. She was angry. Confused. Heartbroken. And yet, she wanted him more. She just couldn't let go of him.

　　Three days passed and with no sight of him even in class, his assistant took them all alongside other captains.

　　At some point, she wondered if he was sick. She was eager to know and was going to ask when she remembered that he said it's for a personal reason.

　　Heartbroken, she decided to visit the Sports Academy ice pitch late at night, just to sit and burn out her thoughts. Aside from this, here was the only quiet place she could spend the evening at with no disturbances. The surrounding was a large garden, smelling sweet. With the night light, it gave an ethereal glow.

　　She wasn't expecting to see anyone at the ice pitch, especially late in the evening as this.

　　Stepping at the door, her wolf began to giggle. She tried to ignore and walked in, a strong scent hit her. She paused.

　　"Someone is here?" she whispered to herself. "Captain Rhys?" She stuttered as she saw someone playing, although he was backing her, yet his statues were identical.

　　She glared deeper, waiting for him to turn. It was him.

　　"What's he doing around here?"

　　"He must be so ardent and passionate to be rehearsing by this time." She concurred. She had thought he was sick.

　　Barely done with her thoughts, her eyes locked up with him the moment he raised his head up.

　　Elisa gasped. Stumbled.

　　Captain Rhys. Her Rhys. The man she has been waiting for three good years, upon no return, came in search of him. The man who has been acting all cold.